Vinyl pressings
by Triumvirat · 1978
À La Carte was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
45 184 A–3Runout side A, variant 1
45 184 B–4Runout side B, variant 1
45 184 A–3Runout side A, variant 2
45 184 B–4 2Runout side B, variant 2
45184 DA
45184 DB
ST-1-11862 F6 (2) MASTERED BY CAPITOL ◎Runout side A variant 1
ST-2-11862 F4 (2) MASTERED BY CAPITOL ◎ WallyRunout side B variant 1
ST-1-11862 F6 ② MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP ◎Runout side A variant 2
ST-2-11862 F-4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ◎ WallyRunout side B variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | Harvest 8785First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Argentina | Harvest 8785First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | Harvest SHVL-622First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Harvest 31C 064 45184DFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-11862First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Harvest 1C 064-45 184First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C 062-45 184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Portugal | Harvest 8E 072-45 184First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Harvest 2C 068 - 45.184LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Harvest 10 C 064 045 184LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records ST-11862LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records ST-11862LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records ST-11862LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records ST-11862LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Uruguay | EMI SLPE 500 822LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Harvest 1C 064-45 184LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16123LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of À La Carte are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Germany, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Harvest 1C 064-45 184.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1C 064-45 184, 8785, SHVL-622, 31C 064 45184D) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45 184 A–3 and 45 184 B–4. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
